Bobcat in Yard This Morning

[Runner]

Thanks for the comments on the picture. Not a great picture, I was actually reluctant to post it due to the quality, but I figured the group would find it interesting.

Actually, I was shocked it came out at all, considering I was shooting a subject that was moving, a couple of hundred feet away, through three panes of dirty glass, in relatively low light, with a telephoto lens, through a bunch of trees with an autofocusing camera.

It looks like there are quite a few varieties of "bobcats" around the country all with slightly different features, colorings, ear tufts, etc.

Now that I think of it, I found some remains of what was probably a rabbit sitting on top of a boat I have stored in a barn on the property. It was probably this cat or a relative that left the carcas there. I also found similar remains under the overhang of our house near the front walk.

Ron, having recently dealt with the crime issue of which you speak, I agree wholeheartedly with your feelings. I'd rather deal with ANY of the creatures around here than human thieves.....

[two_bit_score]

Originally Posted by Runner

Thanks for the comments on the picture. Not a great picture, I was actually reluctant to post it due to the quality, but I figured the group would find it interesting.

Actually, I was shocked it came out at all, considering I was shooting a subject that was moving, a couple of hundred feet away, through three panes of dirty glass, in relatively low light, with a telephoto lens, through a bunch of trees with an autofocusing camera.

It looks like there are quite a few varieties of "bobcats" around the country all with slightly different features, colorings, ear tufts, etc.

Now that I think of it, I found some remains of what was probably a rabbit sitting on top of a boat I have stored in a barn on the property. It was probably this cat or a relative that left the carcas there. I also found similar remains under the overhang of our house near the front walk.

Ron, having recently dealt with the crime issue of which you speak, I agree wholeheartedly with your feelings. I'd rather deal with ANY of the creatures around here than human thieves.....

When he starts bringing his kill up to your house for your approval like that is when you should put a flea collar on him and give him a name and water bowl.

[johndeere4300]

That's a big cat.

I got a picture of one on my game camera at my deer feeder, But it wasn't that big.

Thanks for the picture!

[Etch]

My Mom lives in Tucson, AZ, and she sees bobcats, mountain lions, coyotes, etc come up near the house all the time. A couple years ago her Shih-Tzu was attacked by a bobcat that was sitting on their brick wall. The Shih-Tzu had a doggy door and would go out whenever it wanted and the brick wall was there to enclose the yard.

The dog managed to somehow get away and get back in the dog door, but had two nasty puncture wounds to his neck and needed surgery. He couldn't even lift his head. He eventually healed and carried on as if nothing had happened. Of course the doggy door was removed and the dog was walked with supervision from then on.

[Gem99ultra]

Originally Posted by Runner

>snip<I've seen them around here before, but they usually don't come this close to the house. He was about medium-dog sized.

<snip>

We have them down here in Friendswood, TX - alive and well :-) I've seen this guy twice in the last week, and he was back last night after bedtime.

Last week I was walking my two little Toy Rat Terriers. The male came running out of the woods next to the creek just 'a squalling! He blew past me and headed to the house and the porch.

In another minute the little female came flying out of the woods with a 25# bobcat right on her tail. She was literally running for her life! I hollered at the bobcat; he stalled for just a second to see where the sound came from, just long enough for my little female RT to get away and make it to the porch as well.

Both little dogs (6# & 5#) were lucky that they weren't lunch. The female was all scratched up from running through the briars, but both had the scare of their life.

The picture (bad, I know) was taken in my backyard right at dusk. And my house is definitely not out in the country - this is at the outer edge of a subdivision.

[jayste]

Good story there, Gem99Ultra. I think I'd shoot him with something different next time. Next time old #5 & #6 may not live to tell about it. I'm a wildlife watcher as well as hunter and enjoy their presence to but won't tolerate that behavior. Old bob up in that tree just made it look easy! Good luck with whatever you decide.

Jay

[MossRoad]

Originally Posted by Runner

A bobcat paid me a visit this morning. He hung out by my apple trees for awhile, eyeing something in the neighbor's horse pen. He jumped the fence and went into the horse pen, then, one of the horses charged him and he jumped back into my yard. I then shot this pic and he took off the other direction.

I've seen them around here before, but they usually don't come this close to the house. He was about medium-dog sized.

Don't keep us guessing on the size.... go out and measure those posts with a tape measure from the ground to the top to get a better size estimate.

[sandman2234]

Been a few years, but I had something larger than a bobcat across the street and three doors down (210 feet). It just goes to show that just because you live in a subdivision, in a large town/city doesn't mean a cat won't be around. Just because you don't see them doesn't mean they aren't there.
David from jax